S.o.t.D. - Acoustic Moonlight – Addex

Acoustic Moonlight – Addex

S.o.t.D. - Let Me Go – Volor Flex

Let Me Go – Volor Flex

S.o.t.D. - Express Yourself – Markus Guentner

Express Yourself – Markus Guentner

Gorgeous.

S.o.t.D. - Kismet – dBridge

Kismet – dBridge

Stuff like this is why D&B still excites me 20 years on.

S.o.t.D. - Hesperus – Hooch

Hesperus – Hooch

Love that tension – the beautiful, calm, more melodic, orchestral elements, juxtaposed with those crisp, rolling drums.

Modular Gear For The Rest Of Us: Switlik X-Back Air Crew Vest

Continuing my series chronicling examples of modular carry equipment geared to non-military endeavours.

In existence since 1920, Switlik Parachute Co. (although I don’t think they actually make parachutes any more), manufacture anti-g and anti-exposure suits, PFDs, inflatable rafts for military, law enforcement and the aviation industry in an 85,000 sq. ft facility in Trenton, New Jersey.

The material is a Nomex/Kevlar blend and is available in Cobalt Blue and Burnt Orange.

Also available are various pouches, including one for a HEED bottle.

Shown with various pouches attached.

It comes in at a weight of 1.08 kg (2 lbs 6 oz). Two 18g CO2 cylinders give it a buoyancy of over 35 lbs. It also has a built in locator light. Cost is $379.00.
http://switlik.com/aviation/xback/

I have a Mustang Survival manually inflatable PFD, (not certain of the exact model), that is superficially similar to this, and I’ve been very happy with it. Light and unobtrusive, yet one tug on the handle and I instantaneously have a horseshoe yoke keeping me afloat and my head up and out of the water.

But if I’m in a boat of some kind, I also want to have some other life saving gear on me, should I somehow become separated from the boat. Comms, and some other means of signalling, a way to start a fire and some other basic survival gear, some food maybe, a multi-tool, compass, etc. This thoughtful incorporation of PALS webbing allows for that very need.

If I was in the market for another PFD, even though this is geared towards air-crew, I could see it being applicable to watersports as well. The fact that it comes in orange is also appealing.

S.o.t.D. - Fantasy – Alina Baraz & Galimatias

Fantasy – Alina Baraz & Galimatias

Bibliophilia: Bad Houses – Sara Ryan & Carla Speed McNeil

Bad Houses – Sara Ryan & Carla Speed McNeil

Another example of a graphic novel that tells a seemingly simple, every day story. No one does anything out of the ordinary, has special powers, wears outlandish costumes, etc. And yet it is a really enjoyable read.

Lewis works with his mother curating estate sales.

Anne lives with her mother, a nurse, who we learn is a hoarder.

They live in a logging town in Oregon, one whose glory days, if ever there were any, are fading into memory.

The two meet and a relationship develops.

Several subplots are woven into the main story and at various points you go back to see where elements of the story were subtly introduced. I loved Carla Speed McNeil’s bold but very expressive art. It reminded me a little of Glenn Grant’s work on Mind Theatre.

What seems somewhat prosaic at first, ends up being quite a charming story, about growing up and moving on.

Modular Gear For The Rest Of Us: Atlas 46

While the military may well have led the pack when it comes to modular gear, it delights me to no end when I see some of those concepts applied to other endeavours.

John Carver was the man behind Eagle Industries, who it might be said pioneered the tactical sewn goods industry. He has started another venture, Atlas 46, aimed at the construction trade. During my stint framing houses, I found what I was using underwhelming and had some ideas for making my own, incorporating some of the ideas I was seeing in military gear. I switched to other employment and the ideas never saw the light of day. Mr. Carver has taken what he learned making gold standard tactical gear and applied it to the job site. Lots of nicely thought out features. Reasonable prices too.

A selection:

AIMS Main Tool Attachment Pouch

AIMS Screw and Nail Attachment Pouch

A feature I thought was intriguing was this ability to close up or subdivide this pouch.

AIMS Drill Holster

Journeyman Apron XL

Ladder Pad

S.o.t.D. - Adrift – Grifta

Adrift – Grifta

So, so, so good! That deep vibe, that funky bassline, the sax licks, the precise drums, that melodic flute line that animates it all. Awesome. Shame it’s only 3 minutes long.

S.o.t.D. - Dive Into You (Tom Middleton Instrumental Mix) – Hefner Cosmos

Dive Into You (Tom Middleton Instrumental Mix) – Hefner Cosmos

It doesn’t say in as many words, but I’m 99% certain Tom Middleton had a large hand in shaping this sound.

Leatherman Tread

I don’t too often gush about products being released, but this new design from Leatherman - who I’m generally a big fan of - delighted me.

25 tools made from 17-4 stainless steel, including a bottle opener, a cutting hook, hex drives, square drives, screwdrivers, box wrenches, and a carbide glass breaker – worn as a bracelet.

Later in 2015 a watch version will be released.

It might prove to be more of a clever idea than anything you’d bust out for anything other than the most dire emergency. It might even prove to be a bit uncomfortable to wear. But I think it’s so clever, it’s making me consider forking over $150 to $200 (suggested MSRP) and wearing a bracelet or watch again after 25 years of not. 

Leatherman’s announcement.

S.o.t.D. - No Rest For The Wicked (Joris Voorn Remix) – Lykke Li

No Rest For The Wicked (Joris Voorn Remix) – Lykke Li

S.o.t.D. - Not Of This Reality (Synkro Remix) – Borealis

Not Of This Reality (Synkro Remix) – Borealis

Words can’t even begin to describe how good I think Synkro is.

S.o.t.D. - Inner Soul – S.P.Y.

Inner Soul – S.P.Y.

Not the best track S.P.Y. has done, but a fine track nonetheless.

S.o.t.D. - Closed Doors – Synkro

Closed Doors – Synkro

Yes! He does it again! Love this tempo, and the really warm bass. Love discovering an artist and then discovering tracks of theirs I haven’t heard yet and it all helps build a really deep appreciation for the body of work they’ve created.

S.o.t.D. - Biomede – Undroid

Biomede – Undroid

Bikerafting Alaska’s Lost Coast: Yakutat to Glacier Bay

S.o.t.D. - Forget The Girl – Route 94

Forget The Girl – Route 94

Fun old school deep house vibe.

S.o.t.D. - Open Season – Josef Salvat

Open Season – Josef Salvat

The sort of sophisticated pop music that I hope becomes a big hit. But I won’t hold my breath.

S.o.t.D. - Ganzfeld – Objekt

Ganzfeld – Objekt

S.o.t.D. - Falling Short (Mynox Spacy Remix) – Låpsley

Falling Short (Mynox Spacy Remix) – Låpsley

If a piece of music was an orgasm in simultaneously gaseous, liquid and solid form, it would be this.

I cannot get over how insanely good this is.

Oh, and you can get it as a free download from Mynox’ SoundCloud page.

S.o.t.D. - Falling Short – Låpsley

Falling Short – Låpsley

This lass is called Holly Fletcher. Goes by Låpsley. It’s her middle name. She’s 17 years old. From Liverpool. If this doesn’t blow you away, there is something wrong with you. If she doesn’t blow up huge in 2015, there is something wrong with the world.

S.o.t.D. - Moaning Lisa Smile – Wolf Alice

Moaning Lisa Smile – Wolf Alice

Being a fan of that wall of droning guitar sound, accentuated with female vocals, exemplified by bands like Curve, Lush, My Bloody Valentine, etc., I really, really dig this song. Very catchy. Fun video. A band to watch for sure. That Ellie Rowsell is a cutie too.

S.o.t.D. - Infiltrate – Code Of Practice

Infiltrate – Code Of Practice

Yet another guise for Rupert Parkes (aka Photek, aka Special Forces, aka Aquarius,  aka several other names.)

Heard this many years ago on a DJ Sugar Daddy Moth mixed tape, but never knew the name of the song or the artist.

S.o.t.D. - Yes We Can Can – The Pointer Sisters

Yes We Can Can – The Pointer Sisters

That groove at the start...so good. That could be the whole song. But the rest is one groovy, funky classic from 1973.

And do respect the women of the world
Remember, you all had mothers

S.o.t.D. - I Can’t Lose You – Lurch

I Can’t Lose You – Lurch

I think this track is a bit unfocused, but it has some great elements in it.

S.o.t.D. - Her Touch – DJ Karma

Her Touch – DJ Karma

Sweetness.

S.o.t.D. - Floating – Blastikz

Floating – Blastikz

S.o.t.D. - Stay Alive (Fatkids Remix) – Sceptix & Grey

Stay Alive (Fatkids Remix) – Sceptix & Grey

Throw that growly bassline in there, and I’m hooked.

S.o.t.D. - You (ft. Cian Finn) (Phaeleh remix) – Hatti Vatti

You (ft. Cian Finn) (Phaeleh remix) – Hatti Vatti

I thought yesterdays track was pretty good, but Phaeleh bumps it up a few notches.

S.o.t.D. - You (ft. Cian Finn) – Hatti Vatti

You (ft. Cian Finn) – Hatti Vatti

Hatti Vatti is one Piotr Kaliński from Warsaw, Poland. And Cian Finn hails from the west of Ireland.

S.o.t.D. - Tokyo – Hatti Vatti & Synkro

Tokyo – Hatti Vatti & Synkro

I had the thought that perhaps I am posting too much Synkro. Then I came to my senses and realized what a stupid thought that was.

S.o.t.D. – Red One – Markus Homm

Red One – Markus Homm

I find his stuff generally a bit too slow in tempo, but I still dig elements of this track. 

S.o.t.D. - i’m thinkin of u – J Δ Y E E M

i’m thinkin of u – J Δ Y E E M

Would work amazingly well in a Volor Flex, Burial, Ghostek set. Love this sound/genre.

S.o.t.D. - Recognition (Arch Origin Bootleg) – Synkro

Recognition (Arch Origin Bootleg) – Synkro

Happy new year. Let’s start this thing off in stellar fashion with another creamy piece of tuneage. Synkro is a well known and loved entity in these parts. This Arch Origin outfit is new to me. But whoever did what in this piece of beaty goodness, the two artists have given us a fine slice of bassy deliciousness to start off 2015 in fine style.